The BBC is likely to play anti-Thatcher song Ding Dong the Witch is Dead on
the radio this weekend as it will not consider taste when making a decision
on play lists, the Corporation has admitted.

The song had a surge of popularity in the wake of Baroness Thatcher's death and is on course for a place in the top five by the time the chart show airs on Sunday. It is currently at number four.

The BBC have not yet made a final decision on whether or not they will air the song, and are waiting for its chart position.

However corporation executives are understood to believe there is little reason not to play the song. A spokesman said that the decision would not be made on the grounds of politics or taste because the chart show is a "factual account" of what the public have bought.

But the BBC are considering whether a reporter might have to explain why a 1930s song is in the top spot as the 16 to 24-year-olds listening are too young to remember when Lady Thatcher was in office.

Up to 20,000 copies of the song, from the musical the Wizard of Oz, sold last night following an online campaign - leaving it on course to become the shortest top 10 single ever, with the most popular version running to 51 seconds.

The chart position includes sales of all the versions of the song from the 1939 film recording, while a separate cover version by Ella Fitzgerald from 1961 is currently outside the top 75.

The decision is likely to offend supporters of the late Prime Minister, with any broadcast taking place days before her funeral.

The Corporation has faced accusations its coverage of the death was biased and lacked respect, with presenters failing to wear black ties.

The announcement was denounced by users of Twitter.

Joshua Sullyvan tweeted: “If they play it then it is an outrage. Some people are so disrespectful.”

Natalie Maria Taylor added: “If the song celebrating Thatchers death is played by the BBC, regardless of if it's at number one or not, I will be thoroughly disgusted.”

The BBC does not always play every song that is in the top 10 and sometimes misses out songs that have been at the top of the charts for some time.

If the anti-Thatcher anthem is played the Official Chart Show presenter Jameela Jamil might have to invite a reporter from Radio 1's Newsbeat to place it within "context", it was reported.

A source told the Guardian: “Among the 16- to 24-year-olds, a lot of people are saying they are not 100% sure who Thatcher is. Even though this seems extraordinary, they may not understand who that song would chart."

A BBC spokesperson said: "The Official Chart Show on Sunday is a historical and factual account of what the British public has been buying and we will make a decision about playing it when the final chart positions are clear."